BY IKHILI EBALU, BENIN CITY
The national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senator Iyocha Ayu, yesterday, cautioned the Edo state chapter of the party to avoid the pitfall that made them lose the state to the opposition party for 12 years.
He gave the advice at the party’s rally in Benin City.
Senator Ayu said infighting in the Edo State PDP made it lost the state to the opposition party for 12 years ago and that the party most learn from their mistakes and make amends while it has not snowballed into a bigger one.
“Do you know why you lost Edo State, it was because of infighting.
“There were two camps namely Tony Anenih and that of Igbinedion. The same history is repeating itself and with that division back then,, we lost Edo state but we know Edo State is PDP”, he said.
Ayu said if there is an infighting in the party, there is every possibility of losing an election noting that all hands must be on deck to resolve issues capable of tearing the party apart, stressing that leadership of the party must work together to resolve all problems.
He said Obaseki will not leave the party for any other parties as he will work assiduously to ensure that he remains in the party.
“Let no one deceive you that he (Obaseki) is leaving PDP. Nigerians will see how we will receive all those from other parties. In 2023, we shall be back in power; we have started working towards that.
“Edo people, learn from my own state, Benue. If you fight, you will lose the election. I am going to bring a team that will settle the issue in Edo.
“I have been working from behind, I am happy that the Deputy Governor, Shaibu said the truth that the leadership of the party in the state is not working. We are very close to solving the crisis in Edo.
“Once the leadership is divided you won’t get a good result. All our emphasis is on unity. We cannot talk about taking over power in 2023 if our state leadership is not on good terms.
Ayu added, “Edo is going to produce the highest number of votes in the next general elections. We shall win all the Senatorial and House of Representatives seats.
“I want to assure you that by next week, all the issues in Edo PDP will be resolved. All the leaders in Edo should help to resolve the problem, not to fire it more. We will engineer the process and they will conclude the process.”
Earlier, the state chairman of the party, Dr. Aziegbemin Anthony, while reeling out how successfully the party has been in the state and across the state, admitted that the PDP in Edo has problem and that that is why the event is put up to address the current problem facing it.
Also speaking, the Senator representing Oredo federal Constituency, Senator Matthew Urhoghide, said in the past in the state was described as worthless as that of the Zimbabwe dollars but today, it is stronger than the American dollars.
He added that the party is his last bus stop politically.
For Tom Ikimi, the visit of Ayu, will put an end to all skirmishes in the party.
He said it is crystal clear that governor Obaseki joined the party prior to his election adding that his joining the party brought impetus to PDP after being in an opposition for twelve years.
Ikimi said the party cannot afford to lose him.
On his part, Senator Walid Jimbrin maintained that he will do everything in his powers as the Board of Trustee to ensure that governor Godwin Obaseki remains in the party in the state.
He called on all party members to rally round the governor of the state to succeed.
The Edo State deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, said Edo State is PDP and PDP is Edo.
He said what led them out of their former party is rearing its head again and that if they are not fully incorporated into the PDP, himself and others are ready to move out along with the governor out of the party.
The visibly angry Shaibu called on the national chairman of the party to save the party from disintegration.
The governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki while maintaining same stand with his deputy, said PDP as a party, runs in the DNA of the Edo people.
He said the party is poised in winning…. Continue reading